December 10, 2009, Introduced by Senator PRUSI and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1531f.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1531f. (1) The department may enter into a memorandum of
understanding with a federally recognized Native American tribe,
the board of a school district, or the board of directors of a
public school academy that authorizes the superintendent of public
instruction to issue a 3-year letter of approval or continuing
approval to allow the Native American tribe, school district, or
public school academy to use teachers who do not possess a valid
Michigan teaching certificate to teach a Native American tribal
language and culture class. A memorandum of understanding entered
into under this section shall require that a noncertificated
teacher has demonstrated mastery of the tribal language either
through a credential issued by a federally recognized Native
American tribe or another means considered suitable by the
department. The memorandum of agreement shall include requirements
for renewal or continuing approval of the noncertificated teacher
as established by the Native American tribe, the board of the
school district, or the board of directors of the public school
academy in collaboration with the department.
(2) Credits earned by a pupil in a Native American tribal
language taught by a noncertificated teacher pursuant to this
section may be applied by the Native American tribe, school
district, or public school academy for any purpose to the same
extent as if taught by a certificated teacher, including, but not
limited to, credit toward completion of the credit requirements
under section 1278a concerning a language other than English.